Here in Houston where summer lasts until approximately January, we frequently barbecue. And no grilling session is complete without corn on the cob. But my kids aren't all so good at eating it directly off the cob, and they usually request that we cut the corn for them.

If you've ever attacked a cob with a knife, you know it's a messy game. At least a few kernels invariably go flying, and more often than not, the floor gets more than the plate. Or the kids.

The Oxo Good Grips corn stripper, despite sounding like something slightly illicit, looks to be incredibly useful. Use it to make life easier for small children (and bigger kids with braces) or to cut fresh corn for use in salads and salsas. The genius of this gadget is the built-in half-cup container that collects the corn kernels as you strip them from the cob. Nothing goes flying, and the corn is easy to pour out when you're ready to serve it.

The corn stripper comes apart for easy cleaning and all parts are dishwasher safe.